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Check ride fail rate question

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Old 03-19-2007 | 07:31 AM
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Default Check ride fail rate question

Hey guys and gals,

Have failed a few, but have learned a lot from instructing and was just wondering, does your check ride fail rate play heavily during the interview process.

If it does, how do you over come that??
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Old 03-19-2007 | 08:30 AM
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YES it does........

The only way to overcome it is to be upfront about it and provide specific examples on how you have learned to become a better pilot. If you have taken another checkride with that same person - get a letter from them stating that there was marked improvement. If they find out about it in any other way you are TOAST!
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Old 03-19-2007 | 08:44 AM
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I passed my cfi the first time out but i hear it was a 80% first time failure rate so if that is true you are not the only one. the best and only thing you can do is say it was a learning experince and be up front and honest.
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Old 03-19-2007 | 12:49 PM
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Default Some help

Originally Posted by Mouse
Hey guys and gals,
Originally Posted by Mouse

Have failed a few, but have learned a lot from instructing and was just wondering, does your check ride fail rate play heavily during the interview process.

If it does, how do you over come that??


Check ride failure rate is a big issue. The reason is that you have demonstrated a lack of proficiency in your flying ability when it was deemed by your instructor and you that you should be able to meet the minimum requirements for that rating sought.

That’s the bad part. The other side of the coin is that many people fail a check ride. I think generally two failed check rides will not alert an airline to much as long as you are very proficient and can take responsibility for your poor previous performance.

Now, how do you overcome these issues? Well how many do you have? Three failed check rides can be challenging but four or more will require some time. By time I mean hours of flight experience between your last failed check ride and now. Generally I would recommend 200 hours per bust above the average pilots hours for you to have a real shot.

After that you must prepare to talk about it with the interviewer. That means some interview prep. Maybe a friend or another pilot and learn to communicate effectively what happen and why. You have to take FULL responsibility for the check ride failures. There is never a valid reason to place the blame elsewhere.

I hope this helps and Good Luck
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Old 03-19-2007 | 12:58 PM
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I've never failed a checkride since my commercial single.. now, some 20+ pro-checks later, and 4 types later.. with a 0-fail rate, I get the impression it's not made a bit of difference at my interviews, or in getting called it... that said, I'd be worried if you're busting every other checkride.. Most of the pilots I know with my level of experience have busted a 2 or 3 over the past 5-10 years..

I think busting a type ride, especially a second time might hurt more than say if you have a pro-check bust on your record from back with you were a 1000 hour FO on a CRJ or something.. so there is context too.
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Old 03-23-2007 | 12:44 PM
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Default CFI Ride

CFI initial is the most often failed ride. How about some tips for passing it on the first try.

I heard if you do CFII as your initial you get the option of using a DE rather than an inspector, which is supposedly good.

Another one I heard is go to a FSDO where the pass rate is reputed to be higher. This one is hard to put substance to since the actual FSDO pass rates are confidential.
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Old 03-23-2007 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Cubdriver

I heard if you do CFII as your initial you get the option of using a DE rather than an inspector, which is supposedly good.
I'm doing my CFII initial and I have to take the ride at the Fort Worth FSDO. Not sure if it's this way in different regions.
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Old 03-23-2007 | 01:10 PM
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Don't know the answer, but ATP skips town for Florida.
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Old 03-26-2007 | 07:21 AM
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My advice for passing your checkride on the fist time, is to be prepared.

Go though your lesson plans, be able to teach them with littlw to no looking.

Speak clearly

Be Open to critique

Be patient when flying. You know the maneuvers, and you know your flows, don't get caught up in the "Checkride Nervousness." It's just another flight with some one that wants to pass you.

Good Luck.
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Old 03-26-2007 | 08:43 AM
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Does it make a difference if the check ride was for an university stage check not for a certificate? Will the interviewers view that any different?
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